What do you include with your estimates?

Hey, just wanted to compare notes on what you guys include with your estimate package when you leave one for a potential customer who's not home. I've seen some companies who leave an entire presentation folder with an estimate and 5 other pages of information, testimonials, etc. about the company. Then I've seen others who simply write it on blank form and that's it.

If I leave someone an estimate for lawn care I include the two estimates (one for each of the two packages we offer) and a business card. I reference the web site on the estimates and point them to the site for references, pictures, etc. Then I leave my biz card and I put all this in an envelope and leave it taped to the door.

Side note: I learned long ago that if you don't leave an estimate in an envelope, other landscapers will take a peek at it.

If they aren't going to be there, I try to specifically find out what they are looking for. I will price that and then if anything else should be done I will put that in as a side item. IE aerating, mulching, seeding, etc. I put mine in an envelope also. If someone is doing a bid they don't know what is inside and they may not destroy it. I have seen my bid replaced with someone elses.

Thanks for the input so far. But just to further explain what I was looking for; I was mostly interested in what you all included IN ADDITION TO your estimate. That is, do you put it in a nice folder? Do you leave it in an envelope? Do you include additional papers with info on your company, testimonials, etc.? Do you include a business card?

The reason I asked was I know a few companies in my area who leave this really nice, professional folders with tons of papers in them. They must spend $2 on every bid they make, just in the presentation. Typically these are used on the bids they give to the $500K and up homes. It seems like a lot of extra crap to me, but I wondered if it was effective.